The US starts out the run to the Copa on the wrong foot...
As I'm sure everyone knows by now the US lost 1-0 last night in a hard fought match against a young, hungry Morocco side. Give credit to Morocco. They came to our turf and played their game. This is a team not going to the World Cup and many of the players were wearing their national kit for the first time. Morocco was able to possess the ball, make good passes and put a lot of bodies behind the ball to make it impossible for the US to get close to the goal. The US looked sloppy and uncreative. Their first touch was often poor and close to the goal many of the players wanted to pass instead of shoot. In the end, Morocco was able to pounce on the US, while we were in all out attack mode, with a nice counter attack and a mistake by a typically solid defender.
Let's talk performances. First the starters:
GK - Kasey Keller (University of Portland) - Played well. A miracle save would have been required on the lone goal, so you can't fault him there. Wasn't tested a lot in the first half, but did make 4 saves in the game. He obviously isn't going anywhere unless he picks up an injury.
RB - Steve Cherundolo (University of Portland) - The goal came after his sloppy give away in the back on a Morocco counter attack. However, people learn from their mistakes and I'd rather see him do this now as opposed to against Italy. The rest of the game Steve looked solid and creative. Throughout the game he was getting up the field and helping out in the attack. He can serve a nice cross and as a fullback he will be expected to get forward. He is solid in on defense and I think he has the position wrapped up.
LB - Cory Gibbs (Brown University) - Gibbs had an unremarkable game. I think he is more suited to central defense but he does have experience as left back. He isn't as effective getting forward, like Cherundolo. His pace is nice to have on the flank but he doesn't seem to have the attacking/crossing skills of others. On Friday I expect to see Eddie Lewis in this position, or a three man backline which would bring Gibbs more towards the center and his preferred position. Lewis is a much more attacking minded player and needs to be tested at LB to see where his defensive skills are. If Lewis can defend I think we see him as the starting LB. However, if Bruce is worried about speedy right wings on the other team, Gibbs may stay in there and not push forward much.
CB - Oguchi Onyewu (Clemson University) - How can you not love this guy? Listed at 6' 4", 210 lbs. He is a giant out there. His physical presence combined with tackling skill makes him a perfect center back. I think he has this position locked up and the question is who will play with him. In World Cup qualifying he was able to neutralize the best attackers in CONCACAF and he did it last night as well. The goal wasn't scored while Gooch was on the field.
CB - Eddie Pope (University of North Carolina) - Pope played well last night and should keep this position locked up as well. He is tactically sound and knows what it is like on the biggest stage. Nothing stands out from last night but that is typical of Eddie. He gets his job done quietly, gracefully and consistently. After last night's performance I think it is going to take an injury or some amazing play from the other center backs to move Pope out of this position.
DM - Claudio Reyna (University of Virginia) - Captain America did it again. He managed to get injured 15 minutes into the match. Everyone talks about how Reyna can control the game, set the tempo, make the important last pass, but I never see it. I hope he is able to play in Germany, but if he isn't fully fit he's going to hinder the team as opposed to helping it. His spot in the starting 11 isn't up for grabs. He will either play or be injured, I don't think there is any middle ground.
DM - John OÂBrien (Joined Ajax of Amsterdam as a high school player) - John and Claudio could be brothers. They are bothtremendouss soccer talents who have had careers limited by injury. O'Brien grew up in one of the top youth systems in the world at Ajax. He knows how to read the game and can make stunning passes. If he is healthy he is going to be in the starting 11. Last night we saw some of his passing brilliance. There was one ball over the top of the Morocco defense to Donovan that was pure class. I don't think Donovan expected to get a ball like that and he couldn't connect with it. O'Brien played the first half only since he is just coming back to health. It is amazing he is in this squad since he hasn't played club soccer on a regular basis since the last World Cup. I guess that shows how highly Bruce thinks of him.
RAM - Josh Wolff (University of South Carolina) - Despite having a last name similar to Josh's, I am never impressed with his play and I continue to wonder how he makes the starting 11. Last night he was playing as a withdrawn forward on the right side. He made some decent runs and decent passes but he didn't create a goal and he didn't have any great scoring chances. Last time I checked that is his job. This right midfield position is a big question mark right now. Personally I think Dempsey should get a chance there because his creativity and skill make him dangerous.
LAM - DaMarcus Beasley (U-17 residency to MLS) - DaMarcus, or as I like to call him, RUN DMB is my favorite player on the team, so I am biased. He is fast as anyone, takes on players all day long, he can finish in front of goal, he can set up goals with the last pass...as an attacker he can do it all. His pace last night gave Morocco some problems but he wasn't able to make the killer move or killer strike. His position is sealed on that left side but he'll need to improve to help the team out of the WC group.
CAM - Landon Donovan (U-17 residency to Bayer Leverkusen) - Short of an injury, there is no way Landon isn't in the starting 11 in Germany. He is the face of this team and has the ability to change a game. In 2002 he used the World Cup to show the world he was for real. In 2006 he needs to prove that staying in MLS hasn't hurt his ability to win. He is probably our most able attacker who can create the play and finish it. Last night we saw a couple glimmers but as with everyone else, the finer points weren't totally tuned up. John O'Brien gave him a great ball behind the Morocco defense but he couldn't handle it. In the Cup those chances must be finished and Landon knows that.
ST - Brian McBride (St. Louis University) - Brian didn't score any goals last night so you know he isn't happy today. He's the best target forward on the team and with this kind of 4-2-3-1 formation you need McBride getting in there and mixing it up in the air. Morocco did a nice job of keeping him away from goal and making sure he didn't see the ball in a position he liked. I think there is a chance that Eddie Johnson could take this starting position from Brian, but he hasn't done it yet.
Onto the reserves.
DM - Pablo Mastroeni (North Carolina State) - Pablo came on for the injured Reyna in the 16th minute and played very well. He is a good tackler and starts the play in the other direction well. If either Reyna or JOB are not fit, Mastro will be in there. As he showed in 2002 he is not afraid of famous competition. He may be a better option against someone like Pavel Nedved or Francesco Totti.
M - Bobby Convey (U-17 residency to MLS) - Bobby came on for JOB at the half. I don't think he was playing in the same role as JOB. Bobby is more of a winger and he showed it with some dangerous crosses. He also had a nice free kick go into the side netting, just wide of the goal. His performance last night didn't win him a starting spot and he has a lot of competition on the left side with DMB and Eddie Lewis. I figure Bobby will be a sub to bring on fresh legs in the last 15 minutes of matches.
F - Eddie Johnson (U-17 residency to MLS) - Johnson came on for Josh Wolff in the 60th minute. Eddie knows how to score goals at the international level. He virtually carried the US through 2004 WC qualifying. He now has 16 caps and 9 goals. All signs point to a strong national team career. Last night he showed some ability to run off the ball and he connected on a nice corner from Convey, but he didn't do as all coaches teach and the ball sailed over the net. Personally I think Eddie should start at least one of the group games, maybe Ghana (because I'm going to be there). We'll see what happens.
M - Clint Dempsey (Furman University) - Clint came on for Gooch in the 74th minute. Bruce recognized that he needed more people who could take on defenders and create something. Clint can certainly do that although he didn't last night. I like Clint playing out wide on the right and coming in towards goal. He is not afraid of trying a Brazilian move to get around a guy, and he can do it. He's got some room to grow and hopefully he can do it in the coming weeks because he could be a difference maker over in Germany. Ohh yeah, check out his rap video that Nike made. In true hip-hop credibility making style, his rap partner, Hawk, was recently murdered. So far as we know it was not connected to the Don't Tread song and video.
F - Brian Ching (Gonzaga University) - Ching came on for McHead in the 83rd minute. Ching's inclusion in the squad was a mystery to me. Brian has shown he can light up MLS but that he can't light up the international stage. In 18 games he has 3 goals for the national team. In my opinion Bruce is better off bringing Taylor Twellman because he can come on as a sub and create some havoc. Ching is better suited to heading and holding and without strong wings you don't want to play to that kind of forward. Last night Ching had another uninspired performance, even though he was only on the field for 7 minutes.
Ok, I'm sure that is more about last night's match against Morocco then you wanted to hear from me. To bring it back to the theme of this blog, look at the make up of these national teamers. 11 played college ball and the rest took the soccer only path. Not much to say there I guess.
Friday the US will face Venezuela in the second of the send off series. Tune into the match on ESPN2 live. If you're in Denver make sure you head to the British Bulldog at Broadway and Stout Street, downtown. You'll be able to buy this blogger a drink if you do.
Let's talk performances. First the starters:
GK - Kasey Keller (University of Portland) - Played well. A miracle save would have been required on the lone goal, so you can't fault him there. Wasn't tested a lot in the first half, but did make 4 saves in the game. He obviously isn't going anywhere unless he picks up an injury.
RB - Steve Cherundolo (University of Portland) - The goal came after his sloppy give away in the back on a Morocco counter attack. However, people learn from their mistakes and I'd rather see him do this now as opposed to against Italy. The rest of the game Steve looked solid and creative. Throughout the game he was getting up the field and helping out in the attack. He can serve a nice cross and as a fullback he will be expected to get forward. He is solid in on defense and I think he has the position wrapped up.
LB - Cory Gibbs (Brown University) - Gibbs had an unremarkable game. I think he is more suited to central defense but he does have experience as left back. He isn't as effective getting forward, like Cherundolo. His pace is nice to have on the flank but he doesn't seem to have the attacking/crossing skills of others. On Friday I expect to see Eddie Lewis in this position, or a three man backline which would bring Gibbs more towards the center and his preferred position. Lewis is a much more attacking minded player and needs to be tested at LB to see where his defensive skills are. If Lewis can defend I think we see him as the starting LB. However, if Bruce is worried about speedy right wings on the other team, Gibbs may stay in there and not push forward much.
CB - Oguchi Onyewu (Clemson University) - How can you not love this guy? Listed at 6' 4", 210 lbs. He is a giant out there. His physical presence combined with tackling skill makes him a perfect center back. I think he has this position locked up and the question is who will play with him. In World Cup qualifying he was able to neutralize the best attackers in CONCACAF and he did it last night as well. The goal wasn't scored while Gooch was on the field.
CB - Eddie Pope (University of North Carolina) - Pope played well last night and should keep this position locked up as well. He is tactically sound and knows what it is like on the biggest stage. Nothing stands out from last night but that is typical of Eddie. He gets his job done quietly, gracefully and consistently. After last night's performance I think it is going to take an injury or some amazing play from the other center backs to move Pope out of this position.
DM - Claudio Reyna (University of Virginia) - Captain America did it again. He managed to get injured 15 minutes into the match. Everyone talks about how Reyna can control the game, set the tempo, make the important last pass, but I never see it. I hope he is able to play in Germany, but if he isn't fully fit he's going to hinder the team as opposed to helping it. His spot in the starting 11 isn't up for grabs. He will either play or be injured, I don't think there is any middle ground.
DM - John OÂBrien (Joined Ajax of Amsterdam as a high school player) - John and Claudio could be brothers. They are bothtremendouss soccer talents who have had careers limited by injury. O'Brien grew up in one of the top youth systems in the world at Ajax. He knows how to read the game and can make stunning passes. If he is healthy he is going to be in the starting 11. Last night we saw some of his passing brilliance. There was one ball over the top of the Morocco defense to Donovan that was pure class. I don't think Donovan expected to get a ball like that and he couldn't connect with it. O'Brien played the first half only since he is just coming back to health. It is amazing he is in this squad since he hasn't played club soccer on a regular basis since the last World Cup. I guess that shows how highly Bruce thinks of him.
RAM - Josh Wolff (University of South Carolina) - Despite having a last name similar to Josh's, I am never impressed with his play and I continue to wonder how he makes the starting 11. Last night he was playing as a withdrawn forward on the right side. He made some decent runs and decent passes but he didn't create a goal and he didn't have any great scoring chances. Last time I checked that is his job. This right midfield position is a big question mark right now. Personally I think Dempsey should get a chance there because his creativity and skill make him dangerous.
LAM - DaMarcus Beasley (U-17 residency to MLS) - DaMarcus, or as I like to call him, RUN DMB is my favorite player on the team, so I am biased. He is fast as anyone, takes on players all day long, he can finish in front of goal, he can set up goals with the last pass...as an attacker he can do it all. His pace last night gave Morocco some problems but he wasn't able to make the killer move or killer strike. His position is sealed on that left side but he'll need to improve to help the team out of the WC group.
CAM - Landon Donovan (U-17 residency to Bayer Leverkusen) - Short of an injury, there is no way Landon isn't in the starting 11 in Germany. He is the face of this team and has the ability to change a game. In 2002 he used the World Cup to show the world he was for real. In 2006 he needs to prove that staying in MLS hasn't hurt his ability to win. He is probably our most able attacker who can create the play and finish it. Last night we saw a couple glimmers but as with everyone else, the finer points weren't totally tuned up. John O'Brien gave him a great ball behind the Morocco defense but he couldn't handle it. In the Cup those chances must be finished and Landon knows that.
ST - Brian McBride (St. Louis University) - Brian didn't score any goals last night so you know he isn't happy today. He's the best target forward on the team and with this kind of 4-2-3-1 formation you need McBride getting in there and mixing it up in the air. Morocco did a nice job of keeping him away from goal and making sure he didn't see the ball in a position he liked. I think there is a chance that Eddie Johnson could take this starting position from Brian, but he hasn't done it yet.
Onto the reserves.
DM - Pablo Mastroeni (North Carolina State) - Pablo came on for the injured Reyna in the 16th minute and played very well. He is a good tackler and starts the play in the other direction well. If either Reyna or JOB are not fit, Mastro will be in there. As he showed in 2002 he is not afraid of famous competition. He may be a better option against someone like Pavel Nedved or Francesco Totti.
M - Bobby Convey (U-17 residency to MLS) - Bobby came on for JOB at the half. I don't think he was playing in the same role as JOB. Bobby is more of a winger and he showed it with some dangerous crosses. He also had a nice free kick go into the side netting, just wide of the goal. His performance last night didn't win him a starting spot and he has a lot of competition on the left side with DMB and Eddie Lewis. I figure Bobby will be a sub to bring on fresh legs in the last 15 minutes of matches.
F - Eddie Johnson (U-17 residency to MLS) - Johnson came on for Josh Wolff in the 60th minute. Eddie knows how to score goals at the international level. He virtually carried the US through 2004 WC qualifying. He now has 16 caps and 9 goals. All signs point to a strong national team career. Last night he showed some ability to run off the ball and he connected on a nice corner from Convey, but he didn't do as all coaches teach and the ball sailed over the net. Personally I think Eddie should start at least one of the group games, maybe Ghana (because I'm going to be there). We'll see what happens.
M - Clint Dempsey (Furman University) - Clint came on for Gooch in the 74th minute. Bruce recognized that he needed more people who could take on defenders and create something. Clint can certainly do that although he didn't last night. I like Clint playing out wide on the right and coming in towards goal. He is not afraid of trying a Brazilian move to get around a guy, and he can do it. He's got some room to grow and hopefully he can do it in the coming weeks because he could be a difference maker over in Germany. Ohh yeah, check out his rap video that Nike made. In true hip-hop credibility making style, his rap partner, Hawk, was recently murdered. So far as we know it was not connected to the Don't Tread song and video.
F - Brian Ching (Gonzaga University) - Ching came on for McHead in the 83rd minute. Ching's inclusion in the squad was a mystery to me. Brian has shown he can light up MLS but that he can't light up the international stage. In 18 games he has 3 goals for the national team. In my opinion Bruce is better off bringing Taylor Twellman because he can come on as a sub and create some havoc. Ching is better suited to heading and holding and without strong wings you don't want to play to that kind of forward. Last night Ching had another uninspired performance, even though he was only on the field for 7 minutes.
Ok, I'm sure that is more about last night's match against Morocco then you wanted to hear from me. To bring it back to the theme of this blog, look at the make up of these national teamers. 11 played college ball and the rest took the soccer only path. Not much to say there I guess.
Friday the US will face Venezuela in the second of the send off series. Tune into the match on ESPN2 live. If you're in Denver make sure you head to the British Bulldog at Broadway and Stout Street, downtown. You'll be able to buy this blogger a drink if you do.
posted by Bonji at
10:01 AM
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